Tokyo Game Show 2007: TGS' Most Popular Rumors: Will They Happen?

Dead Rising 2, PS3 rumble, more Kingdom Hearts, FFVII remake?!

Around E3, 1UP gathered the most popular DO WANT rumors surrounding being speculated about and gave a thumbs up (or down) on whether you should expect them to happen. It's not long before Tokyo Game Show kicks off this year, so while our comrades overseas rest up before day one, let's take a look at what might happen -- and in some cases, already has!

The Rumor: Dual Shock 3 DebutingThe Evidence: We've known it's been coming for a while now, but now it's completely official: the PS3 will soon offer a rumble controller. 1UP has confirmed through multiple sources -- including some within Sony -- that PS3 games are now offering rumble and we'll see first examples of this at the Tokyo Game Show.

It's expected that along with a PS3 price drop for Japan, Kaz Hirai will be revealing the new PS3 rumble controller at his TGS keynote (later tonight U.S. time). Sources have also indicated that one of the big reveals may be that the playable Metal Gear Solid 4 demo will include rumble functionality. Those who have tried the controller spoke positively of it, saying that it's a bit heavier than the current Sixaxis.

At this year's E3, Immersion was said to be licensing their tech to peripheral-makers Hori and Katana to
release rumble-equipped controllers by September. And hey, look what month
it is now.

Despite the third-parties horning in on their potential business, Sony's official
line was mum as of E3 2007, with both Phil Harrison and Jack Tretton
claiming there were no decisions made yet regarding inclusion of the
feature. Even as recently as August 23, a high-profile developer close to
Sony's interests, Hideo Kojima, claimed he did not have those tools available for marquee title Metal Gear
Solid 4.

The Verdict: It's coming. Expect Kaz Hirai to make everything official during his keynote later today.

The Rumor: Final Fantasy VII RemakeThe Evidence Always sleeping but never fully dead, the rumor of a next-gen return to Midgar pops up so often you'd think it had auto-life cast on it. By this point, the ardent desire of some Square fans to see a remastered Sephiroth has completely transcended mere rumor status and gone well into the realm of unrequited cultural myth -- the kind of messianic longing that makes ordinarily 'normal' people fill up entire walls at TGS with beseeching post-it notes and Kaz Hirai to leave cryptic little comments in the margins.

The Verdict: Just recently Crisis Core producer Hideki Imaizumi quashed fan's hopes by stating there were currently no plans for remake. If you need a second opinion, there's always longtime FF character designer Tetsuya Nomura, who stated in a Dorimaga magazine interview back in June "it appears that there are often overseas rumors like 'Are you currently developing a VII remake?' My apologies, but were absolutely not making [such a game]." And finally, the company's official response to the fanmade FF VII petition, which seems to settle the question for good:

"SQUARE ENIX of Japan, has no current plans to create a sequel or remake to that particular title at this time. This is not to say that it will never happen, it's just that their development teams are currently focusing on numerous other projects. We hope this information has been of assistance."

That being said, Square Enix has been something of a tease on the FFVII front lately. The company has actually stopped a hair shy of officially denying the possibility of a remake, leaving fans salivating in a Jenova-like state of tortured stasis. "[Such a thing would be] a question of timing", says Final Fantasy III producer Hiromichi Tanaka, noting that all the necessary people are currently busy elsewhere.

The Rumor: Capcom to Unveil Dead Rising 2, Others

The Evidence: We've been waiting for some big new games to look forward to from Capcom for a while, and numerous online sources are now reporting that we may not have to wait much longer. Most of the talk seems to go back to a news story from citing an Australian game site. Where did that site get their info? An "inside source" that has "sworn us to secrecy." That's usually a bad sign. Other sites are getting more specific and saying a sequel to Dead Rising is one of the new Capcom games set to get announced. Still others say the Dead Rising announcement is simply a PC port of the zombie-killing sim.

One big problem stands in the way of these rumors (and our dreams) coming true: Capcom's own words. Just yesterday a Capcom rep posting on their message boards claimed the company's biggest Tokyo Game Show announcement is the already-unveiledWe Love Golf!. In that same post, Capcom's Christian Svensson goes on to say that the really exciting stuff we've all been aching for will be coming at a Capcom-only event in London a couple of weeks after TGS. And as much as we loved Dead Rising, it wasn't a big seller in Japan, so Tokyo may not be the place for that particular game reveal.

Our very own Quartermann suggests a Wii version of Okami will be painting its way into our hearts soon. Beyond that, plenty of franchises in Capcom's library are ripe for sequel announcements: Lost Planet, Street Fighter, and Onimusha spring to mind.

The Verdict: Despite the evidence and claims of Capcom's own employee, we're going with our gut and saying that Dead Rising 2 will be shown in some form or another at Tokyo Game Show. As far as other announcements, we think there's a good chance, but maybe Svensson's right and we'll have to wait a couple more weeks for those. That or it'll just be three new Mega Man games. Oh boy.

The Rumor: More Kingdom Hearts GamesThe Evidence: To say this has been a long time coming seems like a massive understatement. With more than 10 million copies shipped worldwide, the Kingdom Hearts franchise essentially gives Square Enix and Disney a license to print money. Neither corporate entity has been shy about sequelization in the past; countless Final Fantasy spin-offs/re-releases and straight-to-video animated sequels should erase any doubt that another collaborative effort is in the works -- and has been for a while.

It's been a year and a half since Kingdom Hearts II dropped in the States, and even longer in Japan, though they were graced with the Final Mix+ expanded edition this past March. Series mastermind Tetsuya Nomura certainly hasn't been shy about announcing his intentions to continue the franchise, telling Famitsu last December that multiple Kingdom Hearts announcements could be expected in 2007. He followed that up this past spring with an interview in Dengeki PlayStation, in which he seemed to indicate that multiple Kingdom Hearts projects were in the works, not just a numbered entry. "Of course, because we're calling it a 'new' series, it won't be [Kingdom Hearts III]," said Nomura. "Also, it's a series, so it probably won't be just one title."

However, the most positive evidence comes from our own men and women currently stationed in Japan for the Tokyo Game Show. Word on the street is that Square Enix will devote a full theater to the series at TGS, with new titles expected for the Nintendo DS and PSP, as well as a sneak peak at a true sequel to Kingdom Hearts II. The Nintendo DS title is rumored to be a follow-up to Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, while the PSP game may be a prequel to the original Kingdom Hearts. Though the true sequel is expected for the PlayStation 3, nothing is concrete at this point. With its massive success and built-in younger audience, the Wii may also provide a great home for a series entry, sequel or otherwise.

The Verdict: We felt pretty strongly about this before, but the confirmation from our on-site crew makes us all warm and fuzzy now. Not taking this opportunity to announce something seems downright silly, considering the unwavering success of the franchise and the insatiable demand of the fans.

Comments (37)

I would love...

...for FFVII to be remade. However I don't think that Squenix will do it any time soon. With all the profit they have been making off of sequels, prequels, and side stories think of how many people would be interested in playing them if they could just play the thing they wanted, a remake of the original, instead of playing things that have similar concepts, but somehow just fall short, to keep you titillated. I just think there's too much profit for them in making people buy other related games in anticipation of one of them maybe comparing to FFVII.

Make it Happen!

I hate people...

who don't want 7 to be remade. it's the greatest game i have ever played, i still have the origional and i play through it once a year because it is that good. A remake will definitely get me to buy a ps3, untill then i can wait to play everything else on the console.

FFVII Stalker

Heh, they'd better make it again...
It would be awsome if they made it for the PSP also ^_^ Though I currently have monetary issues and cannot purchase Crisis Core, nor have I obtained Advent Children, Last Order, or Dirge of Ceberus, and I don't even have the origional anymore, I still stalk the gaming stores, staring lovingly ay Crisis Core, and search the internet every hour for news on remakes or deals on the other games and videos.
Now, if they ever decide to make the entire FFVII series for the PSP (or a future version of a handheld Playstation), and I own it all, I can die peacefully.

Wo0t!

FF7 remake

With so many customers wanting a remake of FF7, it's mind boggling to think of reasons why they wouldn't remake ff7. It's not like hey would have to create a game from scratch. They have the story, game play mechanics ect. (and not that I know much about making games) but how hard could it be for a company that big to remake a game they made before. With all the buzz this game gets, they would be sure to make a profit. Update the graphics, and boom ...... Final Fantasy 7. Hell sell it for the same cost as a new ps3 game, folks will buy it! I would. Plus they are all proud of the FF thing they got going on with crisis core and ff13 coming..... what better way to thank their fan base than to make something we all want. Well Cheers and heres to hoping.

FFVII Remake!

To remake FFVII would be such a good move on Square's part. A lot of people grew up playing the game, and now finding actual working copies of FFVII can be such a pain...so having a remake would be great! I'd love to replay the story!

FFVII

the bottom line is that who grew up loving FFVII??? gamers that are now full grown adults w/disposable income who may have stopped buying new systems as they got older. I think if they re-make it, the PS3 could end up in a lot of living rooms that haven't seen systems in years...I want to see this before I'm too old to game!!! (I'm assuming thumb arthritis strikes me at an early age)

They should wait for a remake

FFVII is barely 10 years old now...that's still an infant in game-years to me. Developers shouldn't be so quick to remake their own games. 20 or 25 years down the line, a remake of a game could be so incredible...why suffer through a remake if all it ends up being is a graphics overhaul?

No on 7

i think

they should leave FFVII alone. it was an amazing game but they would probably ruin it by reviving it. there are already way to many FF games and remakes flooding the market. they should just focus on new IPs

What Next?

To tell you the truth remaking the ff7 is not a bad ideal. I always wanted to see what cloud would look like on a more powerful system. It not a bad thing. I hope they bring out more remakes. bionic commando, bad dudes, and hell bring back rad racer!!! Bring it all back. FFvII was and still is one of the best rpgs ever made. No matter what system you support. You have to give it to square!

square=smart

Right now, they have this glistening beam of everything great in the world with FF7. If they were to remake it, and fail, what would they do then? Right now they can just hold a conference and everyone will stare waiting for an announcement. They have us with the perfect hook. They won't give it up easily.

square=retarded

why would they not be all over a ff7 remake? cause all the "right" people are busy elswhere?!? i say BS. Square its time to pull your heads out of your asses and give us games we want. enough with all the ds and psp games. we want games for the 360, wii, and ps3. namely a new chrono game, parasite eve 3, and the remakes of ff 7-9. youve remade ff 1-6 a million times. its time to give us the remakes we want.

I've said it before

And I'll say it again, give me a new, exciting IP over the 50 trillionth incarnation of FF any day of the week. FF7 was good,yes, but can we please just accept the fact that it's over and it should stay that way?

FF VII Remake = Castlevania: RoB

I'm guessing that is how they will treat it. See if interest in the game continues for many years. Then when the market conditions, demand, and key individuals at SquareEnix come together, we'll see a green light. We Castlevania gamers had to wait this long to finally get C:RoB but the wait was far worth it it seems....

Fuck yes!

I knew it was smart to wait for rumble, but you guys need to change the thumbs down on rumble to a thumbs up. Oops!
Also, a Wii version of Okami sounds great. I've been meaning to buy that on the PS2, but if it's going to appear on Wii, then hell yes.